Monday, March 4, 2013

Alabama: Young Authors Conference

were voracious about reading their own work compiled in the 2013 Young Authors Anthology sponsored by the Metro Mobile Reading Council.

These kids were attentive and sincere about wanting to become better writers.

The made galimotos and wrote poems about them.

These middle grade and high school students were selected based on their writing abilities to attend the afternoon conference. Your main character is not just defined by physical attributes. What does he or she need or want? Your main character drives the plot. So? Why is his/her back pack torn and repaired with duct tape(be specific about detail). What is the brand name covered up with black electrician tape and why? Why is there a note in the backpack that says "Meet me at B. King at 10AM SLJ Be there ! Why does this person carry $1.59 in a glasses case? And what else is in that backpack? 4 matches, a flashlight, a tiny note book with 4 lines of a poem. Who is this person? What if? ....fifteen young writers...fifteen new stories.

Karen was born in Connecticut, and received her Master’s degree in deaf education. She has lived in Africa and in Haiti. Karen had an early dream to be one of the youngest published authors ever, starting a writing club at ten. However, Karen's published works came later in life, after extensive travels and family experience. Karen's ability to draw from personal experience and adapt into writing forms for all ages and interests expresses her true gift. See her website for more information about her books and stay in touch here for updates about her writing life and publications.